What Happens If ADHD is Left Untreated in Adults?
Adults with ADHD can experience a range of problems if the condition goes untreated. These can include issues with relationships, work and mental health.
Many times, people who suffer from untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and a negative perception of the world. This can make them feel as if they are failing at work and at home.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Having trouble staying focused at times is normal particularly after a long day at work or school. However, if you start to notice that your concentration has been getting worse and it is impacting your everyday life, it could be time to consider seeking assistance. If you are finding it difficult to complete your daily chores, you do not attend important social events, or make mistakes in your work environment that impact your reputation, this could be an indication of a larger problem.
Symptoms of untreated ADHD can cause problems with relationships too. People suffering from ADHD have a tendency to lose focus on their partner, which could lead them to argue and break up. They may also speak before they think, which can lead them to say something that they later regret. This inability to control their thoughts can be particularly hard on a partner when someone is being stressed, angry or anxious.
It is harder to keep up with finances when a person has ADHD which could cause late payments or missed bills. Inattention and impulsivity could lead to poor decisions which affect budgets and saving plans. If you suffer from ADHD and are having difficulty managing your finances, it is an ideal idea to seek treatment and a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD often have trouble working in a workplace, since they struggle to adhere to deadlines and follow instructions and collaborate effectively with coworkers. These issues can result in being denied promotions or being denied employment. Inability to focus while driving could result in accidents or injuries. You are more likely than someone with ADHD to be distracted by road sounds, other drivers, or the environment. Your self-esteem, emotional well-being and mental health may be negatively affected by your inability to focus. Speak to our team today if you've noticed your symptoms impact your daily functioning.
Relationship problems
ADHD symptoms like disorganization, forgetfulness and impulsive behavior could cause serious relationship problems. It's not uncommon for a non-ADHD partner to feel angry and even be abandoned by an ADHD partner. This can lead to an array of negative emotions which could result in relationship turmoil and even a breakup.
ADHD can also cause problems in relationships with family members and friends. When someone does not manage their finances or pays bills in time, it could cause financial strain. It can also cause emotional stress when one reacts in a different way and experiences rapid mood changes.
Untreated ADHD can result in an over-helping spouse or partner the person. This is a major issue because it hinders the person suffering from ADHD from developing their own independence. It can also lead to the person with ADHD becoming resentful of their spouse or partner because they're always taking care of them.
If a person suffering from ADHD in a relationship does not receive treatment, they could mistakenly interpret the actions of their partner and think they have that they have ulterior motives. If a partner with ADHD does not attend the scheduled meeting or scheduled, it could be taken as a sign they do not value you or your relationship.
In addition, when a person with ADHD is not properly treated they could experience cognitive issues that hinder their ability to comprehend and respond to other people's demands. For instance, they might have trouble understanding complex ideas and tend to skip over important information when they listen. They may also have difficulty with self-control during conversations that can manifest as interrupting or speaking over others.
The best way to tackle these issues is to make sure that you and your partner communicate regularly and clearly. It's a good idea to encourage everyone to meet regularly as a family to discuss issues and figure out ways to collaborate to solve them. If this doesn't work then it's time to consider couples counseling so that you can discover new communication strategies and organizational strategies to use outside of the therapy office of the therapist.
Health-related Issues
People with ADHD typically have a difficult to manage their emotions and controlling their impulses as adults, which can lead to problems in both their personal as well as professional. Their impulsivity can lead them to behave in ways that are harmful to their own or others, or it can result in risky behavior such as reckless driving, which could cause injuries or even death. They also can struggle to manage their daily life tasks, including being organized and meeting deadlines, or keeping up with work tasks.
ADHD symptoms in adults differ from those experienced by children. This could cause misdiagnosis and missed opportunities for treatment. Adults may be experiencing symptoms like difficulties in paying attention at school, sloppy writing and a lack of attention to professional or social plans. They may be unable prioritize their tasks or complete long-term projects which could affect their job and financial stability. They may be unable to discern situational social cues and tend to interrupt other people frequently or intrude on their conversations. This can create tension in relationships and make it difficult to make meaningful friendships.
Additionally, they could struggle to maintain healthy lifestyles and may miss regular health screenings, which can exacerbate physical health conditions like hypertension, heart disease or obesity. They might have trouble getting enough sleep, because their minds are filled with thoughts that are distracting at night, or they may eat unhealthy foods that contribute to weight increase and poor health.
Untreated ADHD could also cause depression or other mood disorders that can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. They might lose confidence and self-esteem, and find it difficult to maintain relationships or work as their behavior gets worse. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause adults to live an existence of depression and boredom. They might even have suicidal thoughts.
Luckily, ADHD is highly treatable with medication. There are many different types of medications to choose from and a doctor will take each patient's individual symptoms into account when developing the treatment plan. Some adults may need to try several different dosages and medications until they find the right one. But, most are more successful at work, at home and at school after their symptoms are addressed.
Depression
Many people who suffer from untreated ADHD are also afflicted by depression. The symptoms of both conditions are similar, and both often occur in tandem. Depression is not just a blues-like feeling and is a serious mental illness that can lead to a lack of interest in daily activities and thoughts of suicide.
Individual talk therapy can help someone with ADHD manage depression. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors that include an underlying history of trauma from childhood or abuse, financial difficulties, relationship stress, and the emotional fallout of longstanding patterns of low performance in the workplace and at school. ADHD could be a contributing factor to these types of issues and can exacerbate them since people who have not been treated for ADHD tend to have low self-esteem and a sense of being unworthy in different aspects of their lives.
If a person has both ADHD and depression, they need to get treatment for both disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychotherapy, which is typically referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people change their negative habits and develop healthy coping strategies. Counselors can help people learn stress-reduction strategies, like regular physical exercise, ensuring adequate sleep and eating a balanced diet.
The good news is that most people with ADHD do not suffer from severe depression. However the longer ADHD is not recognized and treated the more it will interfere with a person's quality of life as they get older and their responsibilities grow more complicated. The impulsivity and inattention that characterize ADHD can make adults have trouble managing their work assignments, family commitments and personal finances. This means that they could end in debt, have a tough time finding employment, and feel unhappy when they don't succeed at work or home.
There are untreated adhd in female adults symptoms for both ADHD and depression. Medication can reduce the symptoms of ADHD and depression, and it is often combined with nonstimulant medications that can be used to treat depression. Some people with ADHD can manage their depression using antidepressants. However, it is important to have a health care provider assess the person's mood and medical history prior to prescribing any medication.